Ellipse domed structure

ABSTRACT

A domed structure of elliptical configuration constructed from a plurality of modules constructed from glass fiber reinforced plastic material with each module including integral edge flanges adapted to be connected together to form a hollow, elliptical domed structure.

United States Patent 1 Martin 1 51 May 6,1975

[ ELLIPSE DOMED STRUCTURE [75] Inventor: Roy H. Martin, McCamey, Tex.

[73] Assignee: Frankie SoRelle, Sweetwatcr, Tex.

a part interest (22] Filed: Nov. 1, 1973 [21] Appl. No.: 411,771

[52] U.S. C1 52/81; 52/D1G. 10 [51] Int. Cl. E04b 1/32 [58] Field of Search 52/80, 81, DIG. 10

[56] References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,918,992 12/1959 Gelsavage 52/81 3,043,054 7/1962 Schmidt 1 t 1. 52/81 3,590,448 7/1971 Bryant 52/81 3,724,149 4/1973 Detman 52/81 FOREIGN PATENTS OR APPLICATIONS Italy 52/81 OTHER PUBLICATIONS Dome Book [1, 1971. pages 35-39, 108 and 109.

Geodesics, by E. Popko, 1972, Figures 35, 36, 70, 87, 95 and 96, copy 356/library.

Primary ExaminerErnest R. Purser Assistant Examiner-Henry Raduazo Attorney, Agent, or FirmClarence A. O'Brien; Harvey B. Jacobson [57] ABSTRACT A domed structure of elliptical configuration constructed from a plurality of modules constructed from glass fiber reinforced plastic material with each module including integral edge flanges adapted to be connected together to form a hollow, elliptical domed structure.

2 Claims, 19 Drawing Figures ELLIPSE DOMED STRUCTURE BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION l. Field of the Invention The present invention generally relates to dome structures and more specifically an ellipse domed struc' ture constructed of a plurality of modules each having edge flanges connected together and each being hexag onal or pentagonal in configuration or a portion of either shape to provide a hollow elliptical domed structure.

2. Description of the Prior Art Various structures have been formed by connecting panels or modules with some structures incorporating skeletonized frames and others employing rigidity of the panels for support. Examples of previous efforts in this field are found in US. Pat. Nos. 2,918,992; 3,043,054; 3,400,40l; 3,284,969; 2,944,370; 3.l l4.l76; 3,392,495; 3,061,977; 2,736,072; 3,063,519; and 3,696,566.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION An object of the present invention is to provide a domed structure constructed of a plurality of hexagonal and pentagonal flat panels with each panel or module having a straight and flat edge flange along each side edge thereof with the edge flanges being secured together by suitable fastening devices for forming a rigid, hollow, domed structure which is substantially semi-elliptical in configuration.

A further object of the invention is to provide a domed structure in which the pattern of panels or modules includes a hexagonal panel secured to each of the five sides of a pentagonal panel or module with this pattern being repeated six times in the building with all of the pentagonal panels except one being of the same size and the single pentagonal panel being slightly larger.

Yet another object of the invention is to provide a domed structure incorporating a plurality of panels or modules each of which is of one piece construction and constructed of a glass fiber reinforced resinous plastic material with the panels or modules being assembled in a predetermined sequence and pattern to facilitate rapid and efficient assembly of the domed structure and to provide a hollow enclosure that is relatively inexpensive to manufacture. assemble and maintain.

These together with other objects and advantages which will become subsequently apparent reside in the details of construction and operation as more fully hereinafter described and claimed, reference being had to the accompanying drawings forming a part hereof, wherein like numerals refer to like parts throughout.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS FIG. I is a perspective view of the domed structure.

FIG. 2 is a detail sectional view, on an enlarged scale, taken along section line 2-2 of FIG. I illustrating the association of and manner of connecting the edge flanges on the panels.

FIG. 3 is a detail sectional view of one of the panels illustrating the included angle between the flat panel and flat edge flange.

FIGS. 4-8 are plan views ofa pentagonal and hexagonal panels illustrating the corner angles of the panels.

FIG. 9 is a plan layout of a group of panels prior to assembly.

FIG. 10 is a group layout of panels illustrating a segment ofa dome which has been lengthened by incorporating differently shaped hexagons in each segment of the dome.

FIG. 11 is a perspective view of a domed structure incorporating the assembly of panels illustrated in FIG. 10.

FIGS. 12-16 illustrate plan views of additional panels of larger configuration.

FIG. 17 is a sectional view taken along section line 17-17 of FIG. 15 illustrating the flange on the lower most panels.

FIG. I8 is a sectional view illustrating an assembly with an inner wall being connected to the panels and illustrating a fastening assembly therefor.

FIG. 19 is a sectional view of one of the inner wall panels illustrating the attaching flange thereon.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS The domed structure of the present invention is generally designated by reference numeral 10 in FIG. 1 and is constructed from a plurality of panels in which the number of the panel illustrated in FIG. 1 corresponds with the panels illustrated in FIGS. 4-8 inclusive with the corresponding identifying numeral being employed in FIGS. 48 of the drawings. As illustrated in FIGS. 2 and 3, each of the panels includes a flat plate-like member 12 having an integral edge flange I4 which is also flat and straight along each side edge thereof with each flange inclpding apertures 16 for receiving fasteners 18 such as conventional bolt assemblies including a headed bolt having a washer thereon and a nut having a washer thereon so that the flanges 14 on adjacent panels are secured in flat face-to-face and abutting engagement. Each of the panels is constructed of one piece of material and may be molded or otherwise formed from various materials with the preferred material being glass fiber reinforced resinous plastic material. The included angle between the flat plate 12 and the flat flange 14 is 83 as illustrated in FIG. 3 and this angular orientation is continuous throughout all of the panels except for the bottom flange on the bottommost panels which define the lower edge of the domed structure.

FIG. 4 illustrates the pentagonal panel having equal angles and equal sides with six of these being employed with the single panel at the apex being larger than the other five but still being a regular pentagon. FIGS. 5-8 illustrate hexagons with FIG. 7 being a regular hexagon and the others having variation in the included angles and side dimensions as illustrated.

The panels are assembled in which the hexagons are arranged in the patterns illustrated and the pentagon arranged where five hexagons intersect. In alternate vertical portions of the domed structure at the bottom edge thereof, panels duplicating one half of the hexagon of FIG. 6 are used with these panels being designated by numeral 16. Also, as indicated by the dotted line 22 in FIG. 1, the dome may be considered from the standpoint that the dotted line delineates one-fifth of the dome with it being pointed out that the pattern repeats peripherally of the dome so that there are actually five pentagonal panels oriented generally in the same relation as the pentagonal panel in the portion of the dome delineated by the dotted line 22. The sixth pentagonal panel is at the apex of the dome. Due to the specific angle of the flanges and the shape and configuration of the panels. when the panels are assembled. the bottom edge of the dome is straight and flat for mounting on a suitable supporting structure or the like.

FIG. 9 illustrates a plan layout of the panels prior to assembly with the broken line 22 in FIG. 9 indicating the same segment of the dome structure that is. onefifth of the dome. as delineated in FIG. l by the dotted lines or broken lines 22.

FIG. ll illustrates another domed structure which is basically the same as FIG. 1 except that it has been lengthened by the inclusion of long hexagons and long partial hexagons as illustrated in FIGS. l2l6. The broken line 24 in FIG. 11 indicates one-fifth of the dome and this same one-fifth segment of the dome is illustrated in FlG. 10 of the drawings by the same broken lines 24. The hexagons have the same angles in FIGS. 12-14 as have the hexagons in FIGS. 57 with the hexagon being lengthened to provide for additional length when the hexagons 12-14 replace hexagons 5-7 in the row of panels through which the respective broken lines 22 and 24 pass with the hexagons 12 connected with all five edges of apical pentagon 4.

FIG. illustrates the layout of the panels illustrating the increase in length by using the panels 12-14 in lieu of the panels 5-7 along the broken lines 24.

FIG. 17 illustrates the bottom panels and the orientation of the bottom flange 14 on the bottom panels as being perpendicular to the flat plate portion 12 thereof. FIGS. 18 and 19 disclose the manner of supporting an inner wall formed by panels 26 of any suitable material in which each of the panels 26 is provided with an angular member 28 defining a flange for bridging and receiving therebetween the flanges 14 on the outer plates l2 with bolts 30 securing these panels in position. The space between the inner and outer walls may be employed for electrical wiring. plumbing or the like and. if desired. insulation may be incorporated into this area.

In a building having a 50 foot diameter, the base and top of the hexagons will be approximately 3 feet in length. ln order to increase the diameter, the hexagons can be lengthened to 4. 5, 6 or 12 to feet. When using elongated hexagons. diagonal or zig-zag reinforcing ribs may be formed on either surface of the panels by utilizing semi-cylindrical tubing having the free edges engaging the panel and provided with an overlying coating of glass fiber reinforced resin.

Where desired or required. door openings may be formed with the openings conveniently extending to the base line of the building. Also. transparent panels may be employed wherever desired for use as windows or windows may be incorporated into any of the panels at desired locations so that window modules or door forming modules may be incorporated into the structure when forming the completed assembly.

The external surface and also the internal surface if desired ofthe panels or modules may be provided with any suitable coating or coloring such as a gel coat that may be formed on the panels when the panels themselves are formed in a conventional and well known manner. The thickness of the panels and the dimensional characteristics thereof may be varied depending upon the dimensional characteristics of the domed structure in its completed form.

The foregoing is considered as illustrative only of the principles of the invention. Further. since numerous modifications and changes will readily occur to those skilled in the art. it is not desired to limit the invention to the exact construction and operation shown and described. and accordingly all suitable modifications and equivalents may be resorted to. falling within the scope of the invention.

1 claim:

1. A self-supporting. elliptical. dome structure comprising a plurality of rigid, polygonal panels secured together around their peripheral edges to define a hollow enclosure having a generally horizontal bottom edge. said panels including a plurality of hexagonal panels and a plurality of pentagonal panels having their edges connected. all of said panels being flat and provided with an inwardly extending flange along each edge thereof. each edge flange being straight and flat, said edge flanges and the flat panel having an included angle of substantially 83. said panels being arranged with a pentagonal panel at the apex of the dome structure with the five side edges thereof being of equal length and the included corner angles being equal, five arcuate rows of hexagonal panels disposed outwardly and arcuately downwardly from the apical pentagonal panel along arcuate paths defining great circles of the dome structure. the top and bottom edges ofthe hexag onal panels being equal in length to the side edges of the apical pentagonal panel. said rows of hexagonal panels defining five identical spherical isosceles triangles each having an apex in the center of the apical pentagonal panel, two sides defined by lines through the centers of the rows of hexagonal panels and a base along the bottom edge of the dome structure. each spherical isosceles triangle including a central pentagonal panel oriented centrally between the arcuate rows of hexagonal panels and having its base line generally parallel to the bottom edge of the dome structure. a first circular row of five identical hexagonal panels encircling and connected to each of said central pentagonal panels, a second circular row of ten hexagonal panels encircling and connected to the first row of five hexagonal panels with three of the hexagonal panels at 0pposite portions of the second row being connected with the hexagonal panels in the arcuate rows and the lowermost hexagonal panel in the second row having its lower edge defining a portion of the bottom edge of the dome structure. a group of three connected upper filler hexagonal panels connected to the second circular row of hexagonal panels and the arcuate rows of hexagonal panels. a lower filler hexagonal panel connected to the second circular row of hexagonal panels and each arcuate row of hexagonal panels with the lower edge of each lower filler hexagonal panel defining a portion of the bottom edge of the dome structure, each arcuate row of hexagonal panels having a half hexagonal filler panel connected thereto with the lower edge thereof defining a portion of the bottom edge of the dome structure. and a half hexagonal filler panel connected to the lowermost panel in the second circular row of panels and each of the lower hexagonal filler panels with the lower edges thereof defining a portion of the bottom edge of the dome structure. said dome structure being enlarged by increasing the length of each side of the apical pentagonal panel. each top and bottom edge of each hexagonal panel in each arcuate row and the top and bottom edge of each half hexagonal filler panel in each arcuate row while leaving ail other tion. said edge flanges being continuous throughout the length of the peripheral edges of the panels with the edge flanges being separably connected together by fastening devices. 

1. A self-supporting, elliptical, dome structure comprising a plurality of rigid, polygonal panels secured together around their peripheral edges to define a hollow enclosure having a generally horizontal bottom edge, said panels including a plurality of hexagonal panels and a plurality of pentagonal panels having their edges connected, all of said panels being flat and provided with an inwardly extending flange along each edge thereof, each edge flange being straight and flat, said edge flanges and the flat panel having an included angle of substantially 83*, said panels being arranged with a pentagonal panel at the apex of the dome structure with the five side edges thereof being of equal length and the included corner angles being equal, five arcuate rows of hexagonal panels disposed oUtwardly and arcuately downwardly from the apical pentagonal panel along arcuate paths defining great circles of the dome structure, the top and bottom edges of the hexagonal panels being equal in length to the side edges of the apical pentagonal panel, said rows of hexagonal panels defining five identical spherical isosceles triangles each having an apex in the center of the apical pentagonal panel, two sides defined by lines through the centers of the rows of hexagonal panels and a base along the bottom edge of the dome structure, each spherical isosceles triangle including a central pentagonal panel oriented centrally between the arcuate rows of hexagonal panels and having its base line generally parallel to the bottom edge of the dome structure, a first circular row of five identical hexagonal panels encircling and connected to each of said central pentagonal panels, a second circular row of ten hexagonal panels encircling and connected to the first row of five hexagonal panels with three of the hexagonal panels at opposite portions of the second row being connected with the hexagonal panels in the arcuate rows and the lowermost hexagonal panel in the second row having its lower edge defining a portion of the bottom edge of the dome structure, a group of three connected upper filler hexagonal panels connected to the second circular row of hexagonal panels and the arcuate rows of hexagonal panels, a lower filler hexagonal panel connected to the second circular row of hexagonal panels and each arcuate row of hexagonal panels with the lower edge of each lower filler hexagonal panel defining a portion of the bottom edge of the dome structure, each arcuate row of hexagonal panels having a half hexagonal filler panel connected thereto with the lower edge thereof defining a portion of the bottom edge of the dome structure, and a half hexagonal filler panel connected to the lowermost panel in the second circular row of panels and each of the lower hexagonal filler panels with the lower edges thereof defining a portion of the bottom edge of the dome structure, said dome structure being enlarged by increasing the length of each side of the apical pentagonal panel, each top and bottom edge of each hexagonal panel in each arcuate row and the top and bottom edge of each half hexagonal filler panel in each arcuate row while leaving all other pentagonal and hexagonal panels the same size and in the same orientation.
 2. The structure as defined in claim 1 wherein each of said panels is constructed of glass fiber reinforced resinous plastic material and being of unitary construction, said edge flanges being continuous throughout the length of the peripheral edges of the panels with the edge flanges being separably connected together by fastening devices. 